By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday November 6, 2023
Novak Djokovic may be 36 and closer to the end of his legendary career than the beginning, but the World No.1 still believes he has it in his power to break nearly every record that he has yet to break. That includes the ATP’s all-time title record, once thought to be out of reach, but now coming into Djokovic’s sights.
The 24-time major champion won his 97th ATP title on Sunday in Paris, leaving him just 12 shy of Jimmy Connors' record. If he can manage six per year and find a way to get one more, the Belgrade native will have it in about two years’ time. Lofty, but Djokovic says he believes it is something he can achieve.
“As far as the record for the number of ATP tournaments won is concerned, everything is possible,” he told the Serbian publication Kurir. “Why shouldn't I try to break that record too? Now I have 12 less but I also have a few more years of successful tennis, and I try to enjoy these moments that now mean and are worth - double.”
Djokovic is also within reach of a few more milestones this year. He can claim his record eighth year-end No.1 ranking with in Turin (it’s all but a formality), which would take him to 400 weeks atop the ATP rankings – and counting.
It’s been a long season, but Djokovic plans to rush after those goals after taking a few days off to rest and recover from his efforts in Paris.
“I'm going for whatever I can go for. I'm very close,” he said. “I think I need one win to clinch the year No. 1, so that was the biggest goal other than, you know, Davis Cup for the end of the year.
“Now it's going to be recovery time, definitely next three, four days, to really leave the racquet aside and just spend time with the family and recharge, and then go to Torino, where every match is going to be like finals of a big tournament, because you play a top-8 player. You know, every match carries a lot of points, carries a lot of importance.”
Djokovic rides an 18-match winning streak into the ATP Finals in Turin. He’s already a six-time champion at the event.
“I'm going there with good feelings, with a lot of confidence,” he said. “I haven't lost a match since Wimbledon final, so I'm really excited to hopefully finish off the season on a high. Clinching the year No. 1 and Davis Cup are the two biggest goals.”
The World No.1 says he has little time to celebrate his seventh title in Paris, and his 40th Masters 1000 title (both records) - he’s on to the next challenge in his mind already.
“I also want to be able to just direct my attention to the next challenge,” he said. “As long as I'm an active player, I guess that's going to be kind of the mentality I will nurture.
"It's great, but it's already behind me. I'm very of course proud of the achievement but I'm already turning the next page. This is, fortunately or unfortunately, the way it works for me, and the way I think is the correct, so to say, mentality moving forward. Because while I'm still active, I still want to win more and I still want to play at the highest level. Obviously Grand Slams and Masters events are the most valuable tournaments in our sport.”